Livestream

Early the next morning. Wrapped in a scarf, Long Ming walked into Xingyuan Star Café and headed into the first-floor hall. Even though the hour was early, the main hall of Xingyuan Star Café was already lively. Many people were watching a projected livestream of Civilization Paradise. Long Ming glanced at the bar and the surrounding area. Xiao Qi was nowhere to be seen, so he pulled out his phone and sent her a text. "I'm at Xingyuan Star Café." A little over a minute later, Xiao Qi's reply popped up. "Sorry, give me just a moment." "All right." After replying, Long Ming stood where he was and waited. Just then, a cheer erupted from the crowd gathered around the livestream. Curious, Long Ming strolled over to take a look. A laid-back young man in black work overalls, laden with all kinds of tools, was cracking open an abandoned vault while explaining to the camera. "Brothers, even though the civilizational systems differ from instance to instance, the fundamental operating logic remains the same. That means things like lockpicking are universally applicable. I'll demonstrate it for you one more time..." Watching the stream, a trace of surprise appeared on Long Ming's face. He turned to an older guy beside him who was diligently taking notes and asked, "Brother, who is this guy?" "Holy crap, you don't know him?" "I don't." "He's Ning Xiao, known as the Mole King! He's one of the hottest game streamers right now, specifically teaching ordinary folks like us how to scavenge as loot rats to make money." "You can livestream the game now?" "Of course! Livestreaming is crazy popular right now. Plenty of people are doing game streams—that way, you earn a cut in the game and another cut from gifts on the streaming platform!" "Oh, thanks." Long Ming nodded thoughtfully. Just then, hurried footsteps approached. Long Ming turned to look. Xiao Qi was rushing over, her hair a bit disheveled, wearing fluffy pink rabbit pajamas. "Mr. Long Ming, sorry to keep you waiting!" Xiao Qi apologized as she arrived in front of him. "It's fine. But why are you dressed like that?" Long Ming sized her up with some amusement and confusion. "Sigh, I pulled an all-nighter yesterday and had only just lain down to sleep." "An all-nighter?" "We ran an extra session, but you wouldn't come." "Haha, I wasn't free. How was the payout?" "Terrible. The instance was dirt poor. A team of over seven hundred only looted a bit over six million. After deducting combat team expenses and cuts for the rat crew, there was barely anything left," Xiao Qi replied helplessly. "I see." "By the way, why were you in such a rush to use a game pod?" "I made plans with a friend to run an instance," Long Ming explained simply. "Is that so? Why didn't you bring me along, then?" Xiao Qi asked with a giggle. "Well..." An awkward look crossed Long Ming's face, leaving him unsure how to answer. Bringing her along would only get her beaten to a pulp within minutes. "I'm just teasing you. Follow me!" Xiao Qi led Long Ming toward the sixth floor. Soon, the two arrived outside Room 666. Xiao Qi opened the door and said to Long Ming, "Go on in. As for the fee, we'll settle up after you finish." "Thanks!" Long Ming thanked her, stepped into the private room, and closed the door behind him. He surveyed the room, walked up to the game pod, and pressed the switch. *Click.* The pod's hatch slid open. A faint scent of gardenia perfume drifted toward him. Long Ming paused slightly, then lay down inside the pod. A few seconds later. Long Ming logged into Civilization Paradise, appearing in Fanxing City. The moment he came online, a message from Qin Ye flashed onto his wristband. "Coordinates: 5214, 1233, 4225." Long Ming immediately headed toward the coordinates. In the western district of Fanxing City. Twenty-three fully armed players were gathered together. Qin Ye and Qin Ying stood among the group, flanked by three other young men. Qin Ye was dressed the most conspicuously. He wore a bulky DK-01 heavy bulletproof helmet, high-grade military body armor, and combat boots. His tactical belt was packed with high-explosive grenades and medical injectors—truly armed to the teeth. Qin Ying wore a lightweight bulletproof vest and red tactical gloves. The other three young men were also outfitted in excellent gear, carrying themselves with an air of arrogance that made it obvious they were not mere hired guns. At that moment, a handsome young man with slanted bangs and a frivolous gaze asked impatiently, "Hey, Qin Ye, why aren't your people all here yet?" "What's the rush, Wang Yin? We've still got plenty of time." Qin Ye raised his wristband to check the time. It was only 7:15, a full fifteen minutes before the agreed-upon gathering. "Tsk, tsk. Qin Ye, since when did you have so much patience?" remarked a handsome fellow with long red hair and a silver stud in his ear, chewing gum. "Hmph, this young master has always been patient. Besides, aren't your people not here yet either?" Qin Ye could not be bothered to bicker with Lu Xu. "All right, both of you pipe down so you don't start fighting again in a minute," urged a young man with slightly messy hair, refined features, and vintage spectacles. "Bai Xiu, we're not fighting, just killing time," Lu Xu replied with a chuckle. Just then, a low voice sounded. "I'm here." Bai Xiu and the others turned around. A lean, well-built man with grizzled hair, effeminate features, and a somewhat sickly expression walked over. Qin Ye was surprised to see him as well and exclaimed, "Isn't that Thrill Bro? You actually managed to hire him?" "Haha! That was my doing. Didn't expect that, did you? His skill is beyond question!" Lu Xu boasted proudly. "Not bad!" Bai Xiu and the others nodded in agreement. Thrill Bro was named Wei Zhang, formerly the commander of the 7th Battalion, 2nd Regiment of the Shanchengshan Defense Force. He was exceptionally formidable, but after killing seven people in succession at Shanchengshan, he defected to the City of Sin. Yet as strong as he was, Zhao Chen and the others wore guarded expressions. If this had not been a game, they might not have dared to act alongside him at all. The man was mentally unstable; devil only knew when he might turn on you. Just then, heavy footsteps approached. Qin Ye looked over and saw Long Ming walking toward them. A broad grin instantly broke across his face. "My guy is here too!" "Damn, not bad!" "Qin Ye, where did you dig up someone like that?" Wang Yin and the others looked Long Ming up and down, clearly startled. "Hired him at top dollar!" Qin Ye replied, thoroughly smug. Leaving Long Ming's combat prowess aside, his gear alone made him look well worth every penny.